Franch Dressing


I returned home from work yesterday and found the Big Ten Network on channel 610 comcast denver. I already had the entertainment package for the random football games from other conferences - what a joy.

I turned to the channel at 4:30pm and it was the Michigan Football Preview!

What a day to be alive!!!

Braggart.

terryfoster

How do you mean BTN didn't get their way with TWC?  From what I see they got exactly what they wanted, carriage on expanded basic, VOD, and HD carriage.  What am I missing?

I don't know what different types of packages TWC offers, but if expanded basic is their lowest tier package than I guess the BTN got what they wanted.  If expanded basic isn't TWC's lowest tier package, than the BTN didn't get their way.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the BTN want to be a part of the basic or lowest tier package of every cable company in Big Ten Country?  That's why I said that the BTN didn't get their way with TWC.  It's because I'm assuming expanded basic is a step up from just basic cable meaning people with just basic cable would have to pay more to watch the BTN under TWC...

TK23Blue


You are absolutely correct sir.  This is the way to do it with any mass media or communication product.  I worked for SBC selling Yellow Pages once upon a time (ok, a loooong time ago) and the second someone wanted to cancel their ad we were instructed to start cutting deals immediately.  I've called Time Warner 3 times to cancel my cable for DirecTV and all 3 times they cut me deals.  I've been getting the LA Times for free for 4 years now.  They set me up with 3 mos free and everytime the meter is about to go on I call to cancel.  They offer to extend it another 3 mos for free and this has gone on and on.  Circulation and viewership sells ads-whether you actually pay for it runs a distant 2nd.

I wish I knew when or if TimeWarner in So. Cal might offer the BTN.  Sucks being out here during football season.  I don't think I can take one more Pac-Ten game.

I called Cox to "cancel" this morning b/c they still don't carry BTN and the final resolution was 10% off for the next 6 mos.  It ends up being about 120 samolians in savings.  

   Free TK   

MichiganFanInOhio

I don't know what different types of packages TWC offers, but if expanded basic is their lowest tier package than I guess the BTN got what they wanted.  If expanded basic isn't TWC's lowest tier package, than the BTN didn't get their way.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the BTN want to be a part of the basic or lowest tier package of every cable company in Big Ten Country?  That's why I said that the BTN didn't get their way with TWC.  It's because I'm assuming expanded basic is a step up from just basic cable meaning people with just basic cable would have to pay more to watch the BTN under TWC...

In the simplest terms I believe BTN wanted to be offered in the same package as ESPN and FSN and they got that with TWC.  Cable providers are required to offer a rate regulated service usually named "Lifeline" or "Basic" which generally only includes your locals and maybe some shopping and religious channels.  I'm pretty sure BTN knew they weren't going to be a part of that package.

terryfoster

In the simplest terms I believe BTN wanted to be offered in the same package as ESPN and FSN and they got that with TWC.  Cable providers are required to offer a rate regulated service usually named "Lifeline" or "Basic" which generally only includes your locals and maybe some shopping and religious channels.  I'm pretty sure BTN knew they weren't going to be a part of that package.

Gotcha.  I guess TWC's basic cable is really just that.  My cable provider offers all of the ESPN's except ESPNNews and FSN and STO as well as the BTN all in the basic cable package.  I was just figuring that most cable companies were the same. 

Chances are your cable provider has a lower cost offering they may not widely advertise seeing as that package usually has to be around $10/mo.

scmgoblue


You wouldn't believe the crap I had to go through today with Dish Network... 

If you're a NEW customer, you can sign up for the Silver TurboHD package that includes the BTN.  However, if you happen to be a loyal customer, that option isn't available to you (not until January I was told).  When I moved in to the new place back in the early spring, I signed up for the HD only package that at the time included the BTN and all was well... that is until they took the channel off my programming package claiming it was a "free trial" (insert level headed anger here).  Fine, I thought, I'll just wait until August and deal with it at that point.

So I call in today and basically say, I notice that the new programming packages include the BTN, I was wondering what I could do to switch my programming over to a package that includes that channel.  After 40 minutes of explaining and re-explaining this over and over again I am told that the only solution I have is to upgrade to an America's Top ____ package with the Silver HD package... and this will only cost me DOUBLE what it would cost a new customer to get a package with the BTN in it.

Needless to say, I informed them at that point that Comcast happily supplies the BTN... and suddenly they were able to offer me the America's Top ____ upgrade with the Silver package (and BTN) at a substantial discount through December... which gets me to January when I can simply downgrade to the new TurboHD package...

What an incredible headache... all over just trying to get my BTN back.  Don't get me wrong I love the channel, but I think it's ridiculous that Dish rips it's customers who aren't "new" like that.

I had the same conversation with them last week. As soon as I saw the packages being offered I was on the phone. I didn't get the stand alone Silver HD like I wanted but I was able to get the guy to give me the free insulation so I saved $150 bucks right off the bat. Now I just hope that when ABC broadcasts their afternoon games it's done in HD.

If anyone wants more information on how to deal with the retention departments for companies or how to get your monies worth out of the customer service goons you should listen to Clark Howard. He has a sydicated radio show dedicated to teaching people how to be their own consumer advocate

BEWARE the South Side Stench of Colonbus!!!


So this is what Duncan McCloud feels like.

Anywho - 13 hours - 32 minutes till gametime!

Signature keeps being deleted! I'll leave it as - GO BLUE!